Main Purpose of the Job

An opportunity to work at the interface of industry and academia, applying genome large language models to uncover genomic patterns, structures, and relationships in plants, with the goal of identifying novel herbicide targets.

This UKRI Innovate UK-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a collaboration between the Earlham Institute and Syngenta. You will be employed by the Earlham Institute as a KTP Associate, while being based primarily at Syngenta’s Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre (Bracknell, Berkshire) within the Bioscience Digital Group. You will also be affiliated with the Earlham Institute, joining weekly remote meetings and occasional one-day in-person visits.

At Syngenta, the role is computational biology-focused and involves benchmarking plant-specific genome language models. You will research, implement, and evaluate state-of-the-art genome language models using modern HPC infrastructure, initially benchmarking approaches in model plant species before applying them to target weed species.The post requires a strong foundation in genomics and bioinformatics, and experience applying machine learning to biological problems. A personal training and development budget is provided, with access to training and facilities at both Syngenta and the Earlham Institute.

Key activities include:
• Analysing large-scale biological datasets and building reproducible workflows
• Evaluating commercial and public models for performance and suitability
• Documenting implementations and results, and developing benchmarking standards
• Supporting knowledge transfer by contributing to training at Syngenta and the Earlham Institute
• Engaging with colleagues across Syngenta to understand how research outputs translate into commercial outcomes

You will have access to world-class computational resources at Syngenta and cutting-edge bioinformatics expertise at the Earlham Institute. While working independently, you will collaborate closely with Syngenta’s Bioscience Digital Group and with Earlham Institute colleagues across Crop Genomics, Data Science, and Business Development and Impact. The role requires strong organisation, an ability to work effectively across industry and academia, and the capacity to report regularly on progress, results, and deliverables.

Key Relationships

Reporting directly to Chris O’Grady at Syngenta and Anthony Hall at Earlham Institute, and working closely with other colleagues and managers in their teams, such as the Head of Bioinformatics, Helena Saunders and, and at Earlham Institute, Irene  Papatheodorou, Jose de Vega and Rachel Rusholme Pilcher, as  Innovate UK adviser Matthew Hogan.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Build benchmarking datasets, establish metrics and benchmarking gLM

30

Deploy gLM on a commercially relevant project

30

Review the current state of the art in gLM

15

Undertake training and professional development

10

Write, edit, and contribute to reports and scientific manuscripts

10

Prepare and deliver a workshop on gLMs to EI and Syngenta

5

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related quantitative discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrated experience applying AI/ML methods to biological data, ideally including model evaluation/benchmarking and clear evidence of research outputs (e.g., publications, preprints or thesis)

Essential

Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, and experience designing reproducible bioinformatics workflows

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience analysing large-scale genomics datasets, with the ability to manage data efficiently and apply good software engineering practices

Essential

Experience with plant genomics and/or weed biology, and familiarity with resistance-relevant genomic analysis

Desirable

Management and Leadership

Requirement

Importance

Capable of managing a complex project

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to non-specialists and to support the adoption of new tools in an industry setting

Essential

Excellent organisation, proactive problem-solving, and enjoyment of collaborative, cross-disciplinary work across academia and industry

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute harnesses the power of data-driven biology to accelerate solutions for health, biodiversity, and food security. Based at Norwich Research Park, the Earlham Institute is one of eight institutes strategically funded by BBSRC.

Our science combines world-class technology, interdisciplinary expertise, and training and development across genomics, engineering biology and data science, to decode the scale and complexity of living systems.

We believe we can achieve more if we work together. That's why we collaborate with the global science community and industry partners, while also inspiring the next generation of scientists and technical specialists.

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make biological predictions.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure.

We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe.

Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that treats every individual with dignity and respect. By taking an active approach to fostering inclusivity, diversity, equality and accessibility, we empower our community to achieve more.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

• Our Vision and Mission
• Our Strategy
• Our Culture
• Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty Office

Group Details

Earlham Institute (EI) is a vibrant research institute with deep expertise in genomics technologies and bioinformatics. EI delivers programmes that support food security, advance industrial biotechnology, and improve human health and wellbeing.

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow healthy and nutritious food while taking care of the planet. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. Regardless of your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding an ever-increasing population while taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

Hall Group: The Hall Group studies the evolution and function of complex plant genomes, using wheat and the grass subfamily Pooideae as a primary model. We combine advanced computational biology with machine learning to investigate genome complexity, understand how genomes encode function, and determine how genetic variation reshapes transcriptional regulation and, ultimately, phenotype. The group is strongly team-oriented, with a collaborative ethos that is embedded in EI’s multidisciplinary environment.

The group currently includes four postdoctoral researchers (two bioinformaticians, a data scientist and one circadian/molecular biologist) and four PhD students.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Computational Biologist (KTP Associate)

Applications are invited for a Computational Biologist (KTP Associate) to join the group of Prof Anthony Hall at the Earlham Institute (EI), in partnership with Chris O’Grady at Syngenta. This role will be based primarily at Syngenta’s Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre (Bracknell, Berkshire), with regular interaction and visits to the Earlham Institute (Norwich).

Background:
Earlham Institute is a vibrant research institute with deep expertise in genomics technologies and bioinformatics, delivering programmes that support food security, advance industrial biotechnology, and improve human health and wellbeing.  
Syngenta’s Crop Protection Bioscience function contributes to the innovation of safe crop protection solutions through a deep understanding of biology. This detailed understanding of mode of action, resistance and bioprocessing is used to enhance product performance and sustainability. We collect a wide range of data across Bioscience and our digital teams employ a combination of advanced analytical techniques, including statistical, and machine learning models to support data-driven decision making. A large component of the work is the support of design of complex experiments, the integration of heterogenous data sources, and the knowledge extraction. If you are passionate about delivering computational solutions that will help Syngenta create products which can feed the world sustainably, we have the job for you. 
This UKRI Innovate UK–funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between Syngenta and EI will build in-house capability to apply genomic large language models (gLLMs)—foundation models trained on DNA sequence—to predict and understand target-site and non-target site resistance mechanisms.

As part of this position, the post holder will:
• Develop and embed gLLM workflows with the Syngenta team, including establishing robust pipelines on HPC infrastructure and supporting internal reuse. 
• Curate and build benchmarking datasets (initially using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system), defining evaluation metrics and establishing standards for model comparison. 
• Benchmark and fine-tune gLLMs, comparing zero-shot and fine-tuned approaches for tasks such as evolutionary constraint scoring and expression prediction, then testing transferability to an “unseen” related species.  
• Apply the approach to priority weed genomes.
• Deliver knowledge transfer, including hands-on technical workshops for Syngenta/Earlham bioinformaticians, clear documentation/protocols, and contributions to reports and manuscripts. 
• Gain commercial exposure by engaging with stakeholders across Syngenta, supporting translation of computational outputs into decision-making and R&D impact. 

A personal training and development plan (including KTP modules) is an integral part of the role.  With a person training budget of £2000 a year.

Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £45,000 to £48,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 24 months.

Interviews are planned for late June.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 12 June 2026.